Steering reach rod



June 23, 1925. A1,543,364

' A. B. BREEZE STEERING REACH ROD Filed Sept. 3, 1920 Patented June 23, 1925.

lUNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

ALFRED E. BREEZE, or CINCINNATI, OHIO, A-ssIGNOR To TI'IE CINCINNATI BALL CRANx COMPANY, OE OAKLEY, CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION Or OHIO.

STEERING REACH ROI).`

Application l'ed September 3, 1920. Serial NO. 408,024.

casings thereof, and has particular relation to those joints embodying tubular casings having apertures in the side wall thereof from which the ball arm extends.

One feature of the invention relates to the provision of a casing having additional strength. at the ball arm aperture thereof where the casing is inherently weak and.

where the stress is greatest, all with a view toward relative lightness and strength. A feature supplemental to this resides in the provision of a casing of the above character which is adapted to accommodate a relatively large joint ball.

Anothersfeature resides in the provision of an integrally formed ball joint casing embodying any or all of the 'above features, which provides a relatively light and strong double joint casing, thus obviating the necessity of a number of parts being assembled to form the do-uble joint casing.

Other features reside in the provision of a relatively compact, light and durable joint, which is easy to assemble and which does not require exact machining of the parts to effect a proper seating of the joint ball and its engaged bearing members. v

Another feature relates to .the provision of novel means for maintaining the joint in assembly, this means being simple and well adapted to prevent accidental removal of the parts, thus providing a great factor `of safety. a

Another feature resides in the provision of means for easily lubricating the joint which does not necessitate an additional aperture in the casing and which is well adapted to the means for maintaining the joint in assembly above mentioned.

The above features and certain other features hereinafter appearing are embodied in the preferred form of my invention hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and'are efectedby certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawing- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a double ball joint as a reach rod for automobilesteering mechanism embodying the features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation of the casj ing shown at the right of Fig. 1 with the clamp collar hereinafter described, mounted thereon. j

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation of the collar proper mounted on the casing as hereinafter described.

Figure 4 is a view in end elevation of the complete joint.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the various views.

The casing of each joint is adapted to be formed of seamless steel tubing shaped by the usual processes, and comprises a tubular formation 1 at the hub end of the reach rod having a ball arm aperture 2 in its side. The casing is thickened at the apertured portion thereof, as designated at 3, to give additional strength to the casing at the aperture thereby compensating for the loss of strength caused by the aperture. The easing is preferably thickened exteriorly so that the normal portion of the casing may be relatively small and light in weight. The Casin of each joint is reduced at one end, beyon the aperture 2, as designated at 4, to form an interior abutment surface 5 facing toward the aperture. l

Where av double ball joint is Jrequired the double ball Oint casing is integrally formed, as shown in Fig. 1, the tubular formation being reduced, as shown at 4, between the apertures 2 adjacent each end to form a relatively light connecting rod portion, this portion preferably being reduced both in external and internal diameter to form the.

ameter of the ball to confine the same within the casing. Where the abutment surface is provided to cooperate with the joint ball mounting in the casing to 'confine the ball longitudinally of the casing, the enlarged portion 6 of the aperture is disposed at the end of the aperture opposite the abutment surface.

Disposed within the casing on opposite sides of the joint ball longitudinally of the casing are twc` bearing elements 8 provided with the usual spherically concave bea-ring surfaces engaging the ball, and screw threaded into the open end of the casing opposite the reduced end 4 is an abutment member 9, which/.abutment member cooperates with the abutment surface 5 through a coiled compression spring 10 to clamp the assemblage of the ball and bearing elements together to engage the ball for universal movement at a point opposite the narrow portion of the aperture. The two joints shown in Fig. 1 show slight modification of this assemblage, the joint at the right showing washers 11 interposed between one bearing element and the abutment surface 5, and the spring 1Q disposed between the other bearing element and abutment member 9 with washers 12 disposed between the spring and abutment member, whereas the joint at the left shows the spring 10 disposed between one bearing element and the abutment vsurface 5 and the other bearing element engaged directly by the abutment member.

The bearing element or ball seat 8 disposed on the side of the ball toward the enlarged aperture is provided on the side thereof opposite the ball with a concentric extension 13 of reduced cross sectional area disposed longitudinally of the bore of the casing, and the compressionspring 10 of the joint shown v at the right of Figure 1 interengages such extension and extends beyond the aperture into a full portion @of the casing to limit movement of this bearing element laterally Jof, the bore of they casing, whereby adequate means is provided to limit lateral movement of this member, and a relatively long spring is permissible without necessitating a corresponding elongation of the joint casing. The extension is preferably a reduced concentric extension whereby a spring yof relatively large diameter may be used in the joint shown at the right of Fig. 1. Referring to the joint shown at the left of Fig. 1, the abutment member vor tubular plug 9 is bored concentrically of the bore of the casing, as designated at 14, and interengages the reduced extension 13 of the adjacent bearing element 8 to afford adequate lateral thrust for the same, and to permit a longer screw .threaded engagement of this abutment member with the casing without necessitating a corresponding elongation of the casing. The bore 14 extends through the length of the abutment member just referred to and provides communication into the casing for the lubricating device hereinafter described, the abutment member 9 of the joint, shown at the right of F ig.v 1, being bored similarly, as is also designated at 14, to provide communication into the casing for the lubricating device hereinafter described. The bores of these two abutment members are identical so that they may be interchangeable, and the bearing elements 8 disposed on the sides of the joint balls have reduced extensions 13 to provide for interchanging, the bore of ythe spring 10 of the joint at the left of Fig. l and the apertures of the washers 11 accommodating the same.

The external dimensions of the bearing elements 8 engageable with the various parts of the assemblage to limit the lateral movement of the bearing elements are relatively small to permit limited lateral floating movement of the bearing elements in the bore of the casing to insure a perfect bearing on the joint ball.

LThe joint ball 7 is of substantially the same 'diameter as the bore of the casing thereby effecting 'the positioning o'f the ball centrally of the casing, the bearlng elements accommodating themselves to the ball in their lateral floating movement.

The casing is provided with diametrical apertures 15 adjacent the open end thereof and the abutment member 9 is provided with a diametrical aperture 16 adapted to register .with the apertures 15 when the joint is assembled, and a pin 17 is engaged' with these diametrical apertures to prevent rotation of the abutment member, in the casing, the aperture 16 of the abutment meml ber being elongated longitudinally of the axis ofthe abutment member to pro-vide for the adjustment of the abutment member. The pin is retained in proper Iposition by a collar 18 extending over the ends of the pin, this collanbeing a split clamp collar clamped on the casing and including a clamp bolt 19 engaged in tangential apertures formed in the collar on opposite sides of the split thereof. The shank of the bolt preferably extends into a corresponding depression 20 formed on the casing to prevent the collar from working off-of the vcasing unless the bolt is removed.

The clamp collar 18 is provided with a circumferential flange 21 which extends over the adjacent ends of the casing and abutment member 9 to prevent removal of 4the abutment member in the event that the pin 17 does' not function or is omitted in, assembling the joint'.

A lubricating device is mounted upon the exterior end of the abutment member9 and comprises an extension 22y formed on the exterior end of said abutment member and extending through the opening of the flange llt) I joint of my invention.

21 and having a longitudinal bore continulng the bore of the abutment member, and a grease cup 23 screw threaded upon said extension. The bearing element 8 adjacent the abutment member 9 is bored longitudinally of the axis of the casing, as designated at 24, to provide a lubricating communication therethrough to the joint balls, the other bearing elements 8 being bored similarly, as also designated at 24, to provide interchangeability. Thus is provided lubricating means which does-.not necessitate an additional aperture in the casing and lwhich is well adapted to the construction of the While I have herein shown and particu- .larly described ,the preferred embodiment of my invention I. do not wish to limit it to the precise details of construction shown, as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

'1. A ball joint including a tubular casing having an open end and a ball arm aperture in the side wall thereof and having diametrical apertures yformed `in the walls thereof adjacent said open end, a joint ball within the casing-means in the casing for engaging the ball for universal movement therein including an abutment member screw threaded into the one end of the bore of the casing, said abutment member having `a diametrical aperture 4therein in registry with said diametrical apertures of the casing, a in' engagingthe diametrical apertures of t e casing and abutment member, and a collarengaging about the periphery of said casing covering the ends of said pm to retain it in aperture engaging position, said collar having an inturned flange atene end engaging over the end of said casmg and abutment member. v

t Va split clamp collar clamped upon saidcas- 60j ingrand extending over the ends of said pin 2. A ball joint including. a tubular casing having an open end anda ball armaperture in the side wall thereof and having diametrical apertures formed'in the wallsv thereof adjacent said open` end,` a joint ball` within the casing, means in the casing for engaging th ball for universal movement therein including 'van -abutment lmember screw threaded into the one endof t-he bore of the casing, saidabutnient member having a ,diametrical aperture therein in registry with said diametrical apertures of the cas-,J

ing, a pin engaging the 'diametrical apertures of the casing and abutment member,

' to retain it in aperture en aging-position,

and an 'internal -circum .erential "flange vtermed Aon said collar and 'extendlng over the casing and an internal circumferential flange formed onthe collar andextending over the ends of the casing and abutment member, and a lubricating devicev mounted at the exterior end of said abutment mem- -ber and communicating with the bore of the l abutment member through the opening- `formed by said flange.

4. A ball joint including a tubular casing having an open end and a ball arm aperture in the side wall thereof, a joint ball within the casing, means in the casing for engaging the ball for universal movement therein including an abutment member screw threaded in the open end of the bore of the casing and bored longitudinally, means for preventing accidental removal" of theabutment member including a collar secured on the casing and an internal circumferential flange formed on thecollar and extendingover the ends of the casing an extension formed at the exterior end of said abutment lmember andI having a longitudinal bore cdntinuing the longitudinal bore of the abutment .member and extending through the opening formed kby said flanges, and a grease' cup screw threaded upon said extension.

5. A` drag link consisting of va piece of tubing-havlng a socket ,portion of enlarged dlameter, a portion. of the wallof said socket portion intermediaterthe ends thereof being thickened,- said socket portion having a ball lever receiving slot therein, said slot havingan enlarged ball entering portion and a narrower ball retaining portion, the enlarged portion of said slot being formed in the thickened portion of the socket wall. f

6. The method of forming a drag link, which comprises upsetting and expanding an end of a piece. of tubing to form an end socket of enlarged diameter, and upsetting.

the wall of the socket to form a circumferential reinforcing rib. v ,l In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED nnennzni f Witnesses y L L. A. BECK, 'I

A.,JG, JUNIUS. 

